Heel-protector.



R. J. DBARBORN.

HEEL PROTECTOR. Y APPLIoATIoN FILED 11120.10, 1909.

Patented sept.2o,191o.

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u UNITED STATES PATENT onirical EICHARD J. DEAEECEN, or BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS, Assieivonfor ONE-HALF To Y l i t CHARLES B. DEAN, or BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS..

` HEEL-PROTECTOR.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD J. DEAR- BORN, of Beverly, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have .i invented certain new and useful Improvements in Heel-Protectors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to wear-resisting protectors adapted to be driven into tread surfaces of boot and shoe heels, such protectors having relatively thick outer ends flush with the heel tread.

The invention has especial reference to protectors of this character which are bent transversely to give the protector a V-shape with two diverging arms.

The invention has for its object to provide an effective protector of the character indicated ada ted to be securely engaged with the leat er into which it is driven, and be roduced at a minimum expense.

The invention consists in the improvements which I will now proceed to describe and claim.

Of the accompanyino drawings, forming a part of this specificat1on,-Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the blank strip from which my improved protector is made. Fig. 2 represents a perspective view showing one edge of the protector reduced to form an elongated cutting edge. Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of the completed protector. Figs. l and 5 represent views corresponding to Figs. 1 and 2, showing the strip having shouldered ends. Fig. 6 represents a perspective view of a protector formed by bending the strip shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 represents a view of a portion of the tread of a heel, and a protector driven into the same. Fig. 8 represents an end view, and Fig. 9 a side view of a protector having a transverse indentation at its angle.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the figures.

In carrying out my invention, I cut from a metal strip of indeterminate length, said strip'being of uniform thickness from edge to edge, a short strip or blank 12, which is oblong, and has all its edges of uniform thickness. I then, preferably by a single operation and by the use of suitable dies, bend the strip transversely at its central portion to give it a V-shape, and thus form two diverging arms, the pressure which bends the strip being so directed as to grad- `Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed December 1G, 1909. Serial No. 532,344.-

ually decrease the thickness of the blank from the longer edge 13 to the opposite longer edge 14, the strip being thus given a wedge shape. The edge 13 retains the original thickness ofthe strip, and constitutes a wear-resisting face which is flush with the tread of a heel 15 into which the protector is driven, the thin edge lllbeing adapted to cut its way into the heel, so that the protector is adapted to be driven by a hammer or otherwise to its place in the heel. The reduction of the thickness of the strip from one of its longer edges to the other, causes an elongation of the cutting edge 14, so that the ends of saidcutting edge overhang the ends of the blunt edge 13, the ends 20 of the strip being thus inclined so that they are adapted to interlock with the material into which the rotector is driven. Said material is suciently springy to yield to the elongated ends of the cutting edge, while the protector is being driven into it, and then expand into contact with the inclined ends of the Strip, thus causing an interlocking action.

The central portion of the strip is provided with an orifice 16 which extendsacross the angle formed by bending the strip, and interrupts the continuity of the angle, one side of said orifice forming a shoulder 16 which interlocks with the inaterial into which the protector is driven. The ends of the stri may be notched to form downwardly y ibcing shoulders 17 adapted to increase the hold of the ends of the strip on the leather. The Strip ma be provided with additional orifices 18 w ich are in the arms of the completed protector, as shown in Fi 6.

In Figs. 8 and 9, I show a strip provided with a transverse indentation or boss 19 which occupies the angle formed by bending the strip. I have found that this indentation or boss enables the protector to be driven more easily into the leather.

The described protector is adapted to be securely interlocked with leather, and also with rubber heels into which it is driven. The protector is also adapted to be produced at a minimum expense, owing to the fact that the blank is cut from a strip of uniform thickness and is then sharpened and elongated on one edge Vto enable it to penetrate and interlock with the material of a heel.

Patented Sept. 20, 1910.

It will be seen that the cutting edge 14 extends continuously from end to end of the protector, the orifice 16 being wholly within the margin of the protector, so that while it provides a locking shoulder 16', this shoulder is below the cutting edge 14.

I claim:

1. A shoe protector formed from a strip of metal having a thick wearing edge and an oppositely disposed cutting edge of greater length than the wearing edge, said strip being bent transversely to form diverging arms.

2. A shoe protector y formed from a strip of metal having a thick wearing edge and an oppositely disposed elongated cutting edge, said strip being bent transversely to form diverging arms the end edges of said arms being inclined, said strip having an indentation at the angle formed by bending the same, said indentation extending approximately parallel with the intersection of the planes of said arms.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD J. DEARBORN. Witnesses C. F. BROWN, P. W. PEZZETTL 

